CITIZENS COMPASS–The Take It Back (TIB) Movement, has dragged the United Bank for Africa (UBA), to court for freezing Its account during the #EndBadGovernance protests which were held across the country in the month of August 2024.
TIB’s Southwest Coordinator, Tomide Johnson, said on July 26, 2024, at about 10:00 am, he learnt that the Applicant’s bank account with Account No: 2109193911 with Account Name: Take It Back, domiciled with the Respondent was no longer accessible and had been frozen by the Respondent.
He disclosed this in an affidavit sworn in support of the organisation’s application in a suit marked FHC/L /CS/1846/2024 filed through its legal representatives led by human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said the suit was pursuant to sections 44, 46(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended); Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act LFN 2010; Order 2 Rule (1) of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
The TIB, an applicant, in its originating motion on Notice prayed the court for “A declaration that the freezing and restriction of the Applicant’s account with Account Number: 2109193911 and Account Name: Take It Back domiciled with the Respondent; United Bank for Africa Pic is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and a breach of the Applicant’s right to property guaranteed by the provisions of Section 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 14 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement) Act LFN 2010.
“An order of this Honourable Court directing the Respondent to lift the restriction placed on the Applicant’s account with Account number: 2109193911 and Account Name: Take It Back domicile with the Respondent; United Bank for Africa Plc forthwith.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondent whether by itself, its agents, privies/or servants from unlawfully interfering with the Applicant’s account with Account Number: 2109193911 and Account Name: Take It Back domiciled with the Respondent; United Bank for Africa Plc.
“An order of this Honourable Court mandating the Respondent to pay to the Applicant the sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) as general damages for the unlawful freezing of the Applicant’s account with Account Number: 2109193911 and Account Name: Take It Back domiciled with the Respondent; United Bank for Africa Plc.
“An order of this Honourable Court mandating the Respondent to pay to the Applicant the cost of prosecuting the instant suit.”
In an affidavit sworn in support of the organisation’s application, the TIB’s Southwest Coordinator, Tomide Johnson, said on July 26, 2024, at about 10:00 am, he learnt that the Applicant’s bank account with Account No: 2109193911 with Account Name: Take It Back, domiciled with the Respondent was no longer accessible and had been frozen by the Respondent.
He said, “I was confused and wondered if it was a network glitch and I made a call to the founder, Mr. Omoyele Stephen Sowore who confirmed that the news was true.
“I know for a fact that the non-access to the Applicant’s account with the Respondent persisted and the Applicant was unable to make any financial transaction due to the inability to access the funds contained in its restricted account.
“The Applicant’s founder who is also one of its directors, Mr. Omoyele Stephen Sowore sent an email dated 26th July, 2024 to the Respondent lodging a complaint on how the Applicant’s account number domiciled with it (the Respondent) has now become inoperable.
“A copy of the email sent to the Respondent containing the said complaint is hereby attached to this Affidavit and marked as Exhibit “A”.
Memorandum of Association.
“A copy of the email from the Respondent dated August 9, 2024 is hereby attached to this Affidavit and marked as Exhibit “C”.”
“Part of the funds contained in the Applicant’s restricted account is what the Applicant uses for its charitable deeds, and actualization of its objectives but all of that have been frustrated by the restriction which the Respondent has placed on the account and has refused to lift till date.”
Similarly, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has filed a lawsuit against Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), seeking N100 million in damages.
—Sahara Reporters
